Materials

• A timeline of the Persian Empire
• List of class notes (see bolded text in Instructional Activities below)
• Overhead projector (optional)
• Teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or activity

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web resource may be helpful in teaching this session:

• “Ancient Babylonia – Persian Rulers of Babylonia.”
  <http://www.bible-history.com/babylonia/BabyloniaPersian_Rulers_of_Babylonia.htm>.

1. Provide students with a brief review of the beginning of the Persian Empire. Explain that the Persian Empire developed into the largest empire in the world. Remind students of the location of the empire. Provide a brief timeline of the empire, including the various rulers. (For assistance, see the Web site on “Ancient Babylonia – Persian Rulers of Babylonia,” listed above).
   
   
2. Provide students with a brief explanation of the government of Persia. Display the following note on the board or overhead:
   
   The Persian Empire was characterized by the development of an imperial bureaucracy.
   
   Explain the term imperial bureaucracy.
   
   
3. Provide students with a brief description of Zoroastrianism. Explain who Zoroaster was, and describe the basic beliefs of this religion. Display the following note on the board or overhead:
   
   A cultural contribution of the Persian Empire was their religion, Zoroastrianism, which worshipped the forces of nature.
   
   
4. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available teacher resources.